Ashley and Cooper....Baton Rouge Engagements

In many ways I don’t do near as many photography sessions as I used to. We are much more selective now in the weddings, engagements, and family sessions we do because our work serving nonprofit organizations has grown over the years and become our main focus.

But it’s mornings spent with folks like Ashley and Cooper that keep me in the photography business and remind me why I still love to serve couples after all of these years.

There’s nothing quite like getting to commemorate such a special occasion for someone you’ve known since they were a child. I met the twins when they were just little girls and have watched them grow over years of trips and visits for most of their life. I had the honor of doing the photos for Ashley’s sister’s engagements which you can see here and I’ve photographed Ashley’s family over more than a decade. It’s been a special privilege in my life to be able to capture these kinds of moments in time for loved ones.

Ashley and Cooper, I’m so excited for you too and the journey you’re starting in marriage. I can see that God has brought y’all together and what a joy to get to celebrate your wedding soon.

Congratulations you two, we’re so thrilled for y’all!

French Quarter New Orleans Engagement Session- Allison & Cameron

What an engagement session to jump off with after a bit of a break from wedding photography. We recently returned to South Louisiana after a few years in Washington DC, and we are so glad to be back home! We’ve had fun picking up where we left off with photographing the most important moments of people’s lives.

The older I get the more I understand the unique honor I’ve had over so many years to be part of such big moments for loved ones. This one is a special joy: I met the twins when they were just little girls. Over the years watching them grow up we had awesome adventures from Port au Prince to Cape Town to New Orleans to sleepovers in mine and my friend, Kate’s, tiny Baton Rouge apartment. Now, Allison is getting married and I’m honored to have been asked to capture her engagement photos in New Orleans. These two know how to make each other laugh.

I told Allison that New Orleans was an excellent choice. Being from the Houston area, it’s one of her family’s favorite spots to visit and if these photos don’t convince you to have your wedding or engagement photos in the beautiful New Orleans French Quarter I’m not sure what will. There’s no city like New Orleans from beautiful parks like Lafayette Square in the middle of the action to of course none other than the iconic French Quarter. We even got to do some photos on the rooftop of the historic Roosevelt Hotel near Canal Street. What a blast.

Congratulations you two, we’re so thrilled for y’all!

Mollie & Toby's Engagements....Baton Rouge, Louisiana

In times like these, it’s important…dare I say, vital…to fight for the smiles.

I find it very appropriate that Toby and Mollie’s photos are the ones we’ve got scheduled to post on this very week. These two are masters at making each other crack up and that made our time with them such a joy.

As we grieve with friends and family that events and weddings are having to be postponed or canceled and as some of you reading may be faced with those very decisions right now, we look forward to a day when we all will get to gather again. Whether it’s sooner or later, whether you’re postponing your wedding, engagement, or many other things we are looking forward, expectantly, to a day when we’ll see all of our couples smiling together and celebrating with your people.

We know that day will come.

Until then stay safe, well, and check out these smiles from friends of ours whose wedding this year will be a celebration of hope in the midst of waiting!

Thanks for stopping by!

~Claire

Harry and Susan

What a treat when I get to take photos of such cute couples. These two were so giggly throughout our shoot and really what could be better than making each other laugh for an hour? 

Harry and Susan will have a wedding next year, so we did these photos in New Orleans City Park (one of my fave locations) in January. Harry was deployed a week after these were taken. 

What a joy to be a part of this moment for them.

Wishing you two all the best in this year apart as you look forward to forever together! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

*Claire

Tanner & Stephanie - Baton Rouge Engagements

Tanner and Stephanie are getting married in July and thankfully we got to sneak in some engagements before the Louisiana heat began it's annual overnight set-in! 

We took these out at Tanner's family land in Slaughter, LA. If even for an afternoon, it's good for the soul to get out of the city and head out into the country. 

Congrats to Stephanie and Tanner! Can't wait for the wedding day:)

Spencer + Rachel...My brother & his Baton Rouge Engagements.

I’ve known Spencer since the day I was brought to the hospital after he was born on May 21, 1992. I can’t tell you what my first impression of my little brother was at 4 years old….but I can try…

with words that will inevitably fail to do it justice…

to express my impressions of him almost 22 years later.

Spencer was a blonde-haired blue-eyed boy my Mom had always wanted. She literally had dreams of having a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes and I think she probably would have kept trying until God granted her wish. Well he did for the third one.… and Spencer became the baby of the family. With two strong-willed older sisters, Spencer rarely got a word in at the dinner table growing up…but when he did we all knew it would be good. With a rich sense of humor, strong convictions ingrained in the very heart of who he is, and the passion, sensitivity, and wit he got straight from our Father, Spencer captivates his audience when he speaks. He is strong. but he will be moved to heartache when confronted with the injustice of others. Spencer has the sensitivity, passion, drive, and steadiness of both our parents combined. I think I didn’t really realize most of my childhood that Spencer wasn’t really my age. He was my closest companion especially in summers when all there was to do was build another fort, ride our bikes around the cul-de-sac, and wrestle to the point of scaring my mom convinced we would break something or each other in the process. I can’t think of anything Spencer hasn’t been able to do when he sets out to do it. From the time he first learned to throw a baseball to deciding to be the sports editor at the Reveille, LSU’s student newspaper, Spencer decides he wants to do something, he commits, and he sticks with it.

This steady loyalty has played out the most in two areas of his life so far…sports…and the woman he loves. Spencer and Rachel have been together for over 7 years. They are highschool sweethearts, but first met as children in church together. On May 31^st this year…almost exactly 22 years after the day I met him, Spencer and Rachel will get married in Baton Rouge where they’ve spent the last 4 years attending LSU together. After that they will move to Dallas to no doubt accomplish much more than they already have..together. Spencer and Rachel’s relationship, from an older sister’s point of view, fits exactly who Spencer is. He is committed to the people and the things he loves..for life. He will fight for those he loves and he’s done that for Rachel and I know he will continue to.

Spencer, you make me proud, bud. Always have…always will. I love you

Thanks for stopping by!

Claire

Spencer + Rachel...My brother & his Baton Rouge Engagements.

I’ve known Spencer since the day I was brought to the hospital after he was born on May 21, 1992. I can’t tell you what my first impression of my little brother was at 4 years old….but I can try…

with words that will inevitably fail to do it justice…

to express my impressions of him almost 22 years later.

Spencer was a blonde-haired blue-eyed boy my Mom had always wanted. She literally had dreams of having a boy with blonde hair and blue eyes and I think she probably would have kept trying until God granted her wish. Well he did for the third one.… and Spencer became the baby of the family. With two strong-willed older sisters, Spencer rarely got a word in at the dinner table growing up…but when he did we all knew it would be good. With a rich sense of humor, strong convictions ingrained in the very heart of who he is, and the passion, sensitivity, and wit he got straight from our Father, Spencer captivates his audience when he speaks. He is strong. but he will be moved to heartache when confronted with the injustice of others. Spencer has the sensitivity, passion, drive, and steadiness of both our parents combined. I think I didn’t really realize most of my childhood that Spencer wasn’t really my age. He was my closest companion especially in summers when all there was to do was build another fort, ride our bikes around the cul-de-sac, and wrestle to the point of scaring my mom convinced we would break something or each other in the process. I can’t think of anything Spencer hasn’t been able to do when he sets out to do it. From the time he first learned to throw a baseball to deciding to be the sports editor at the Reveille, LSU’s student newspaper, Spencer decides he wants to do something, he commits, and he sticks with it.

This steady loyalty has played out the most in two areas of his life so far…sports…and the woman he loves. Spencer and Rachel have been together for over 7 years. They are highschool sweethearts, but first met as children in church together. On May 31^st this year…almost exactly 22 years after the day I met him, Spencer and Rachel will get married in Baton Rouge where they’ve spent the last 4 years attending LSU together. After that they will move to Dallas to no doubt accomplish much more than they already have..together. Spencer and Rachel’s relationship, from an older sister’s point of view, fits exactly who Spencer is. He is committed to the people and the things he loves..for life. He will fight for those he loves and he’s done that for Rachel and I know he will continue to.

Spencer, you make me proud, bud. Always have…always will. I love you

Thanks for stopping by!

Claire

Grayson is 1 year old!

I love this time of year!

Consistent Christmas music listening officially started this week.

Thanksgiving is next week...which for me means several days in the mountains with the family.

And kids look cuter than ever this time of year!

It's the time when I get to hang out with so many families and celebrate with them what giving thanks, giving gifts, and getting older really means.

Happy Belated Birthday to Grayson.

And Happy early Thanksgiving to everyone!!

Thanks for stopping by,

*Claire

Lori & Corey are Engaged!...Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Happy Friday!!

Big things going on lately.

Let's just say I'm going to buy several paint cans today...grabbing friends and extra hands...and spending the weekend painting walls and building furniture because....

We got an office!!!!!!

This is has been the most exciting AND scary move I've made since I started this thing....by farrr!

But I'm excited. And I've already learned so much.

More on the office to come. We'll be doing some renovations and set up will take some time, but I'm looking forward to making the official announcement when it's all done!

In the meantime...check out Lori and Corey and their amazing vintage style. They wanted to jump into the past downtown and at Cheeburger Cheeburger (a diner here in Baton Rouge and beyond).

The diner idea was genius on their part! I couldn't get enough of these two.

Congratulations to Lori and Corey!!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Claire

Jacquelyn and Patrick

Back in the swing and so happy to be.

The weather has been amazing and it's a perfect time for exploring and photo taking!

Jacquelyn is one of my wonderful friends from college.

She has continually been an encouragement and light-hearted, gospel-centered buddy of mine.

I remember having lunch with Jacquelyn at Zoe's (our date place:)) a couple years ago...and we had girl talk about the future and getting married one day. I remember her talking about how much she trusted God with that detail of her life, knowing it will happen and in his perfect timing. It was a refreshing and encouraging conversation.

And now I have the unbelievable privilege and joy of shooting her wedding in a few weeks!

To Jacquelyn and Patrick...you two are bunch of cuties!!

 I'm so so excited and happy for you and ready to celebrate this awesome beginning:)

Thanks for stopping by,

*Claire

Brandee & Rhett...Baton Rouge, Louisiana

What an off season it was!

With Hurricane Isaac...football season kickoff...and most brides back in school, starting a new job, or just having to power through past the summer in adulthood...it has been quite a whirlwind of a few weeks even without shooting weddings!

But let's be real...it's so nice to be back in the swing of things...wedding season is back

and I am pumped!

Brandee is an artist..and a dang good one at that. She's an art major at LSU and as I've said before...doing shoots for artists is always so fun and entertaining.

This girl came ready with awesome ideas for her and Rhett's Save the Dates and engagement photos!

Every photo..set up...and object in these photos has a purpose and plays a role.

Brandee loves sunflowers...old furniture...painting...crafts....and picnics.

Rhett proposed to Brandee with all of her family and friends there...but hidden;)...and in front of an antique door he re-painted and built a frame around.

We knew we had to incorporate this unique detail in the shoot along with crafts they love to do together...a painting of course:)...and much more!

Brandee and Rhett...you guys were so fun to hang out with! I wish you the very best as you continue to plan and get hitched so soon!

May God bless your marriage in every exciting, humbling, and joyful way!!

Enjoy:)

Thanks for stopping by,

Claire

Alicia & Ryan...Baton Rouge Engagements

I started this little thing I call my business, I sought out to learn everything there was to know about photography & running a business. As weeks of excitement turned into months of steady learning, I quickly discovered that learning everything there is to know about photography only goes so far...

but learning everything there is to business...well there's no end to that.

In each conference, seminar, online tutorial, and class I've ever been a part of from the beginning of this somehow the discussion always comes around to making sure you get the "right kind of clients."

There are strategies and pointers galore out there to teach said inquisitor about such unknown territory, but I've found there's one rule that never fails...

 picking the clients that aren't clients at all...they're friends...or they become friends.

Ryan and Alicia have been nothing short of amazing "clients" and honestly at this point I'm so charmed by who they are and what they are together that getting to shoot their wedding is just icing on the cake.

Kate and I had dinner with these two the other night at one of their favorite sushi restaurants here in town

(Must. Try. Rock.N.Sake.)

and it was a little teaser and taste of what this wedding will be like...so awesome!

Alicia and Ryan had their first date at what was once the Wine Loft in Downtown Baton Rouge. Though the loft has a new name, I met Alicia and Ryan there and we had an amazing...(once again almost torrential down pour)...journey through downtown Baton Rouge for their engagement session.

Alicia and Ryan...I'm ready to close the gap between now and your wedding day:)

You guys are awesome and have been such a blast already.

Here's to you

Thanks for stopping by,

*Claire

Sara & Patrick...New Orleans, Louisiana

Parts of New Orleans are simply timeless...

I seem to think it's the trees.

You really can't get more timeless than those trees!!

Add in a super stylish beautiful gal and a handsome man who loves her a lot

and you have a good ole time.

Another timeless South Louisiana element?...

RAIN

This shoot was one of several this time of year that had a big fat "?" on whether it would happen when it was originally planned.

Sara, Patrick, and I all ended up driving through crazy scattered thunderstorms to make it to downtown Nola where there wasn't a drop to be found.

It was exciting to try to beat the rain....

which we did quite successfully.

The bottom fell out as we walked back to our cars.

Sara and Patrick are getting married next year at The Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas!

To Sara and Patrick...thanks for sticking out through the rain. You guys are stunning! Here's to an amazing destination wedding:)

These were taken at the Piazza de Italia in downtown Nola and City Park in Mid City Nola

Thanks for stopping by,

*Claire

Published: Pocketful of Dreams

I'm excited to share that Pocketful of Dreams, a UK based International Wedding Blog has featured Rachel and Brandon's engagement photos this morning!! (UK time of course)

Many thanks to Pocketful of Dreams for sharing Rachel and Brandon's story as well as these photos with the world!

(If the picture link doesn't work click here to view the post!)

Happy Tuesday.

Thanks for stopping by,

Claire

Kelsey & Patton

I met the couple you're about to see in probably the coolest way I've ever met "clients" before.

Kelsey and Patton are actually my neighbors.

We first met Kelsey as Kate and I were frantically moving in to our new apartment in the middle of October.

Kelsey was scooting by us on our shared balcony about to head to New Orleans and mentioned she and Patton were engaged.

My sweet friend Allison, who you've met here a few times, of course being the wonderful friend that she is suggested to Kelsey that she should most certainly allow me to shoot her wedding:)

And a few months later here we are!

I've said it before many times, but the most rewarding part of all of this is when clients are so much more...they're friends. Kelsey, Patton, Kate, and I live in, what is in my opinion, one of the best areas to live in Baton Rouge.

Spanishtown is right next to Louisiana's capitol building, a pleasant walk to all things downtown, and about 2 seconds from the river.

It is a place where you run into sweet neighbors at dinner on the town, walking down our tree-covered street, and when running the Tuesday night Happy's 5K's.

(which by the way, Kate and I did for the first time randomly last night and it reminded me that I don't care what anyone says...Baton Rouge is so fun!!)

Kelsey and Patton,

I can honestly say I can't stinking wait for your wedding next year! We're going to have a blast:)

Thanks for stopping by,

Claire

Tony, Laura & Ruby

So it's 7:00 am..

The things I say today may make no sense.

Did anyone realize May was coming up?

(Happy Birthday Jaylyn by the way:))

With the craziest wedding season I've ever experienced...

and multiple..multiple shoots a week and month...

and so many weddings coming up

(I promise I'm not complaining:))

there has been this fear in me...and sometimes it's not just been a fear....that I'll burn out. That I am burnt out.

In college while taking multiple photography classes a semester I promised myself time and time again that I wouldn't get burnt out on photography. "I love it too much" I would think.

And it's so true...I love it. But God has reminded me that work here on earth is not perfect and will at the end of some days still be work.

But THEN...

I get to do a Friday afternoon shoot with a trio like this one.

Tony, Laura, and Ruby were a gasp of fresh air in the midst of a crazy crazy week and month.

I'm so thankful God does use work...work that we love...maybe for you work that you don't love so much...to be our blessings in disguise at times and to bring us back to what matters...and hopefully in your case, even if you hate your job...to bring you back to thanksgiving knowing that you're provided for.

It may sound crazy, but I think my favorite part of this job is when a couple, a family, a grandmother, a ring bearer...whoever it is knows how to play...with each other and with those around them!

Sadly, I won't be able to shoot Tony and Laura's wedding...I'll be rocking out at Jaylyn's!...they got engaged at this park back in August and will be married this month!

Tony, Laura, and Ruby...you guys are rockstars. Thanks for a beautiful ending to a crazy week. Thanks for being so fun!

I wish you all the best in your marriage and life together!!

Thanks for letting me be a part of it:)

Thanks for stopping by,

*Claire

Rebekah, Read, & Hwy 61

Every time I go home....home home that is....I take Hwy 61.

I'm convinced...and not many people agree with me...that the drive between right outside of Zachary to Natchez, Mississippi is some of the most beautiful in the South.

Some people are turning their nose up. But I have driven alllll over the South. trust me.

Now I'm not claiming the entire country. I'll be the first to admit, driving in North Carolina, Maine, or even Arizona is 10 times more beautiful than what most of Louisiana has to offer...it's true. God just held out a little from Louisiana, but it's cause He knew we could be happy enough with our 90 degree Leap Days and pockets of Magnolias/lakes to give us a taste of what the rest of the world gets on a daily basis.

The other thing Louisiana has going for it is that it's home...and North Carolina or Maine or Arizona can't compete with that!

So anyway...agree or disagree, but I think 61 is beautiful. And tucked behind the trees all along this little stretch of Heaven is St. Francisville.

Rebekah and Read had been dating for about 4 years before they got engaged.

Rebekah is a sweet friend of mine from college and such an extremely talented artist!

Which everyone knows I love shooting artists.....

with a camera.

I actually just realized I'm drinking out of one of her ceramics cups as I write!!!!!!!

I didn't even plan that.

So we went and played in St. Francisville for their engagements. Rebekah did an amazing job of picking what is one of the most beautiful spots I've ever had the joy of shooting.

These two will be getting married at the end of March here in Baton Rouge..

God's country:)

Hope everyone used their extra day wisely.

Happy Thursday,

*Claire

Allie, Ben, Jack & Isaac

So we made it back from Vegas in one piece...which due to the most eventful flight of my entire life, I didn't know I would be able to say today.

no I'm not just being dramatic.

I mean I am being dramatic, but I promise I have good reason.

Just trust me.

Vegas was awesome though! I learned so so much.

for those who don't know, Kate and I skipped off to Vegas this week for the biggest photographer's conference there is!

and I learned a ton!

It was all the opposite of what I expected to learn though.

More on that later.

I shot Allie and Ben's engagements a few days before I left.

Which was quite appropriate because Allie is a fellow photographer!!!

A lot of photographers get a little extra nervous when they shoot fellow photographers...and that's understandable.

But I find it quite a joy to get to shoot artists. It just makes the whole experience a different kind of special.

Allie & Ben are adorable together.

you'll see.

Ben is an artist as well with a voice and a guitar..and their dogs make every day a little more exciting:)

More on their story in the fall after their amazing wedding.

Can't wait!

Never been so happy and energized to be back in the office

seriously

worst. flight. ever.

just trust me

Happy Thursday!

*Claire

Caroline & Dave...Mardi Gras World, New Orleans

People used to ask me if I was planning to move for my photography business.

There were many reasons people one would ask such

(one being that I often dream of owning a sailboat and spending every afternoon on the water

and well...there aren't a whole lot of sailboats in Lousiana)

Another is because I started this business during my last year of college and who doesn't dream of moving to some exotic location like

San Francisco, Seattle, or...Georgia?

I'll admit that these are the "sexy" places to live as a wedding photographer.

(You can't be mistaken when every. single. wedding blog highlights the "Most charming Seattle romance with the perfect amount of sparkle" )

Don't get me wrong...Seattle and San Francisco and New York and...Georgia are all wonderful places with charming weddings!

But there's one they underestimate...

Only in South Louisiana....New Orleans to be exact...does a couple insist on having their engagement photos at none other than

Mardi Gras World!!

For those who don't know...Mardi Gras World is where all the floats for every Mardi Gras parade are designed, constructed, painted, and sent out to grace the streets of Nola every year:)

Both Caroline and Dave are South Louisiana born and raised.

I'll keep my cajun-french-crazy-fun lovin-cultured couples any day.

Happy...

(what day is it?)

to all!

*Claire

Rachel & Brandon...Uptown, New Orleans

This couple is soo

a. dor. a. ble.

These two have a special place in my heart.

Some shoots are just stamped in my memory because they're not work at all...it's just plain fun.

Rachel and Brandon know what they're getting in to.

Their relationship is about so much more than themselves.

Knowing this makes all the difference.

I'm thankful that God is at work in marriages before they even begin.

And that it's just evident in some people

like Rachel and Brandon

Rachel and Brandon will be getting married at the Audubon Tea Room in July.

Can't Wait!

*Claire